Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Physiological Responses at Rest and during Brisk Walking in Southeast Asian Men: A Randomized ...
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nutrients
Article
Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on
Physiological Responses at Rest and during Brisk
Walking in Southeast Asian Men: A Randomized,
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study
Mark Elisabeth Theodorus Willems 1, * , Nisakorn Parktin 2 , Waree Widjaja 2 and
Amornpan Ajjimaporn 2
1 University of Chichester, Institute of Sport, College Lane, PO19 6PE Chichester, UK
2 College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand;
n.parktin@gmail.com (N.P.); widjaja.waree@gmail.com (W.W.); g4036011@gmail.com (A.A.)
* Correspondence: m.willems@chi.ac.uk; Tel.: +44-(0)1243-816-468
Received: 8 October 2018; Accepted: 7 November 2018; Published: 12 November 2018
Abstract: New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract affects cardiovascular and metabolic responses
during rest and exercise in Caucasian men. Ethnicity and nutritional habits may affect responses to
nutritional ergogenic aids. We examined the effects of NZBC extract on cardiovascular, metabolic,
and physiological responses during seated rest and moderate-intensity exercise in Southeast Asian
men. Seventeen healthy Thai men (age: 22 ± 3 years; body mass index (BMI): 21.8 ± 1.1 kg·m−2 )
participated. Resting metabolic equivalent (1-MET) was measured (Oxycon™ mobile, Germany),
and an incremental walking protocol was completed to establish the relationship between walking
speed and MET. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design, cardiovascular
(Physioflow, n = 12) and physiological responses (Oxycon, n = 17) were measured during both seated
rest and a 30-min treadmill walk at five metabolic equivalent (5-MET), with either a seven-day intake
of placebo (PL) or two capsules of NZBC extract (each 300 mg capsule contains 35% blackcurrant
extract) with a 14-day washout. Paired t-tests were used with significance accepted at p < 0.05 and a
trend for 0.05 > p ≤ 0.10. During 30 min of treadmill walking at 5-MET, no differences were observed
for heart rate and substrate oxidation. With intake of NZBC during treadmill walking, there was a
trend for increased stroke volume by 12% (PL: 83.2 ± 25.1; NZBC: 93.0 ± 24.3 mL; p = 0.072) and
cardiac output increased by 12% (PL: 9.2 ± 2.6; NZBC: 10.3 ± 2.8 L·min−1 ; p = 0.057). Systemic
vascular resistance decreased by 10% (PL: 779 ± 267; NZBC: 697 ± 245 dyn·s·cm−5 ; p = 0.048). NZBC
extract had no effect on metabolic, physiological, and cardiovascular parameters during seated rest
and exercise-induced fat oxidation in Thai men, in contrast to observations in Caucasian men. During
treadmill walking, Thai men showed cardiovascular response, indicating vasodilatory effects during
moderate-intensity exercise with the intake of NZBC extract. Our findings suggest that the ergogenic
responses to anthocyanin intake from New Zealand blackcurrant may be ethnicity-dependent.
Keywords: anthocyanins; sports nutrition; health promotion; substrate oxidation; cardiovascular
function; ethnicity; indirect calorimetry
1. Introduction
The effectiveness of popular sport nutrition supplements for exercise is underpinned primarily
by observations from experimental studies with Caucasian participants (e.g., beetroot juice [1] and
sodium bicarbonate [2]). Ethnicity, however, may affect physiological, metabolic, and cardiovascular
responses to nutritional interventions. For example, with caffeine intake, the response in cytochrome
Nutrients 2018, 10, 1732; doi:10.3390/nu10111732 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 2 of 11
P450 1A2 activity was different in South Asians compared to Caucasians [3]. Overall, there is a
dearth of information on the effectiveness of sport nutrition supplements in non-Caucasians. In the
last few years, supplements with polyphenol composition (e.g., green tea, pomegranate, blueberry,
Montmorency tart cherry, chokeberry, and blackcurrant) have emerged as sport nutrition supplements,
due to potential antioxidants and associated beneficial health effects, with observations primarily
in Caucasians.
In the case of blackcurrant, the numerous health benefits [4] are due to the specific
anthocyanin content, consisting primarily of delphinidin-3-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside,
cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3-glucoside [5]. Intake of one of the blackcurrant anthocyanins
(i.e., cyanidin-3-glucoside) results in numerous metabolites with dynamic appearance profiles [6], large
inter-individual recovery rates in humans [7], and metabolites associated with the alteration of cell
function [8]. New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances whole-body, exercise-induced fat oxidation in
endurance-trained men [9]. Blackberry, a berry with a high content of primarily cyanidin-3-glucoside,
also increases fat oxidation at rest and during a 30-min treadmill walk in overweight and obese
males with seven-day intake who are being fed a high-fat diet [10]. In contrast, Montmorency
tart cherry juice intake for 20 days did not affect fat oxidation during exercise or rest [11]. With
respect to cardiovascular responses, a larger femoral artery diameter by about 6–8% was observed
during a two-minute, 30% isometric contraction of the knee extensors in males with blackcurrant
intake [12]. In Cook et al. [12], blackcurrant had no effect on heart rate at rest and during the 30%
isometric contraction of the knee extensors. However, during the 30% isometric contraction, systolic
blood pressure and total peripheral resistance were reduced while cardiac output increased with
blackcurrant intake [12]. Such observations by Cook et al. [12] indicate a change in blood flow
and confirm an earlier finding of an increase in peripheral blood flow with blackcurrant intake by
Matsumoto et al. [13]. Intake of Montmorency tart cherry lowered blood pressure at rest, and the
improvements in cardiovascular risk factors were associated with the metabolites vanillic acid and
protocatechuic acid [14]. Protocatechuic acid and vanillic acid also appear in the blood with intake
of the blackcurrant anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside [6,7]. In-vitro studies have shown effects on
human vascular cells with cyanidin-3-glucoside-induced metabolites [8,15], endothelial function in
coronary arterial rings with chokeberry extracts [16], and human umbilical vein endothelial cells
with blackberry juice [17]. Chokeberry juice intake lowered blood pressure in people with mild
hypertension [18]. However, we are not aware of other high-anthocyanin-containing supplements
other than New Zealand blackcurrant with effects on both metabolic and cardiovascular responses at
rest as well as during exercise. Evidence about the beneficial effects of anthocyanin intake via different
berries by observations from in-vitro and in-vivo studies is growing; for recent reviews regarding
health effects, see Fang [19], Cerletti et al. [20] and Cassidy [21], plus Cook and Willems [22] for
physiological responses and performance effects.
For polyphenol supplementation, it has been suggested that the gut microbiome plays an important
role in the bioavailability of metabolites and the interindividual differences in bioavailability [23].
The bioavailability of anthocyanins in blood plasma is very low. The anthocyanin-induced appearance of
metabolites is affected by absorption, distribution, and conversion of ingested anthocyanins. Dietary habits
affect the gut microbiome [24]. Dietary habits are influenced by many factors, including geographical
location, ethnicity [25], and food availability. Lower utilization of lipids in Thai men during exercise
was suggested to be due to dietary habits [26]. In sports and exercise nutrition research, it is recognized
that the effectiveness of supplements needs to be established with consideration of sex, age, and training
status, whereas ethnicity and dietary habits seems to be ignored. No studies have examined the effect
of a nutritional ergogenic aid on substrate oxidation at rest and during exercise in non-Caucasians.
Enhanced fat oxidation at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise is considered beneficial; it could
provide health benefits, and is affected by nutritional ergogenic aids.
Therefore, the primary aim of the present study is to examine the effect of New Zealand blackcurrant
extract on the cardiovascular (i.e., heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascularNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 3 of 11
resistance), metabolic (i.e., substrate oxidation and respiratory exchange ratio), and physiological
(i.e., minute ventilation and oxygen uptake) responses at rest and during a 30-min brisk treadmill
walk in Southeast Asian men. In our work with Caucasian male participants, we have observed
beneficial effects on cardiovascular function at rest and during submaximal isometric contraction
(e.g., increased cardiac output), as well as enhanced whole-body fat oxidation during cycling. For the
present study, it was hypothesised that New Zealand blackcurrant extract will increase cardiac output
at rest and increase fat oxidation during the brisk treadmill walk. It was observed by Robinson et al. [27]
in Caucasians that resting fat oxidation correlated significantly with exercise-induced maximal fat
oxidation. Therefore, the second aim of the study was to examine whether such a significant correlation
exists between whole-body fat oxidation at rest and during brisk walking in Southeast Asian men.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Participants
Seventeen healthy Southeast Asian (i.e., Thai) men from a university population (age: 22 ± 3 years;
height: 172 ± 5 cm; body mass: 64.3 ± 5.0 kg; body fat: 15 ± 4%; systolic blood pressure:
107 ± 37 mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure: 70 ± 7 mmHg; body mass index (BMI): 21.8 ± 1.1 kg·m−2
(mean ± standard deviation (SD)); range BMI: 19.5–23.4), sixteen with normal weight and one
overweight [28], volunteered for the study. Participants received cash payment from Mahidol
University and provided written informed consent after explanation of the experimental procedures,
potential risks, and benefits of the study. Participants were non-smokers, recreationally active,
and did not take dietary or sports nutrition supplements. Ethical approval was obtained from
Mahidol University (MU-CIRB 2017/115.1906), with protocol and procedures conforming to the
2013 Declaration of Helsinki.
2.2. Experimental Design
The study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design. Randomization
was achieved by flipping a coin. Participants visited the air-conditioned exercise physiology laboratory
(temperature: 25.2 ± 0.5 ◦ C; humidity: 45 ± 4%; barometric pressure: 1008 ± 2 mbar; mean ± SD) on
three occasions in the morning, over a 5–6 week period. In preparation for all laboratory visits and
testing sessions, participants were instructed to abstain from strenuous exercise for 48 h, not consume
alcohol for 24 h before testing, and consume no caffeine-containing products on the day of testing.
During the first visit, height (Nagata S/N CH2882, Taiwan), body mass, and body fat were
measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (Omron HBF-375, Kyoto, Japan). Blood pressure
at rest was taken two times using an automatic blood pressure monitor (Omron SEM-1, Kyoto,
Japan). Then, participants were seated for 10 min in the laboratory with the lights dimmed,
and 2 × 10 min expired air collections were measured separated by five minutes, to determine
the individual oxygen consumption at rest (i.e., the metabolic equivalent, 1-MET [29]) (Oxycon™
mobile, CareFusion, Germany). The lowest value of oxygen consumption during the 2 × 10 min
expired air collections was taken as the 1-MET, i.e., 4.04 ± 0.44 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 (mean ± SD) (range
1-MET: 3.23–4.62 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 ). During the seated rest, participants were familiarized with the
setup for cardiovascular recordings (Physioflow® , Bristol, PA, USA), and fitted with skin electrodes
(Ambu® , Bluesensor, Malaysia) according to manufacturer guidelines. In the same session, participants
completed an incremental-intensity walking protocol on a treadmill (Marquette Series 2000 treadmill,
Waukesha WI, United States) with stages of 8 min. Walking speed at the start was 2 km·h−1 , with
stage increments of 1 km·h−1 . Normally, five or six stages of 8 min were completed to achieve oxygen
consumption close to or over five metabolic equivalent (5-MET). During each eight-minute stage,
expired air was analysed for the last 3 min. The incremental-intensity walking protocol was performed
to determine the linear relationship between walking speed and oxygen consumption [30], with the
oxygen consumption expressed as the corresponding metabolic equivalent. The linear relationshipNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 4 of 11
between walking speed and metabolic equivalent (r2 = 0.9364 ± 0.0363, mean ± SD) was used to
calculate the walking speed at 5-METs (i.e., moderate intensity exercise) for visits 2 and 3.
Before attending the laboratory for visits 2 and 3, participants consumed two capsules per day of
New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract (CurraNZ, Health Currancy Ltd., Surrey, United Kingdom)
or placebo for seven days. Each NZBC extract capsule of 300 mg contained 105 mg of anthocyanins,
i.e., 35–50% delphinidin-3-rutinoside, 5–20% delphinidin-3-glucoside, 30–45% cyanidin-3-rutinoside,
and 3–10% cyanidin-3 glucoside, with the remaining content mainly natural plant sugars. One capsule
equals about 85 New Zealand blackcurrants. Composition information was provided by Health
Currancy Ltd., Surrey, UK. The placebo was an identical-looking capsule, each capsule containing
300 mg of microcrystalline cellulose M102. For six days, one capsule was taken with breakfast and
one with dinner. Participants were advised to take the last two capsules of the blackcurrant extract
or placebo with a standard breakfast of one slice of bread and water two hours before attending the
laboratory for the testing sessions. The wash-out period was 14 days. A 14-day wash-out period has
been found to clear anthocyanins out of the blood [31]. The optimal dosing strategy for NZBC extract
is not known. However, previous studies have used a similar dosing strategy for the duration and
amount of NZBC extract and wash-out period [12,32]. In the second and third visit, expired air and
cardiovascular responses were collected during a 2 × 10 min period and during 30 min of treadmill
walking at 5-MET (5-MET walking speed: 6.1 ± 0.5 km·h−1 ’ range: 4.8–7.2 km·h−1 ). Physioflow
recordings of five participants were erratic and therefore not analysed.
Participants recorded their dietary intake for seven days prior to the first experimental condition
(i.e., visit 2), and were instructed for the subsequent experimental visit (i.e., visit 3) to replicate their
intake. Food diaries were analysed with INMUcal v.3 NB.3, with nutritive values for Thai food
(Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand) for carbohydrate,
fat, and protein intake, as well as total energy intake (kJ) (Table 1).
Table 1. Daily dietary intake, with absolute and relative to body mass values.
(g) 1.68 ± 49
Carbohydrate
(g·kg body mass−1 ) 2.62 ± 0.78
(g) 57 ± 13
Protein
(g·kg body mass−1 ) 0.89 ± 0.23
(g) 68 ± 14
Fat
(g·kg body mass−1 ) 1.07 ± 0.23
(kJ) 6087 ± 1293
Total energy intake
(kJ·body mass−1 ) 95 ± 22
Values are the mean ± SD for 17 male participants (age: 22 ± 3 years; BMI: 21.8 ± 1.1 kg·m−2 ).
The respiratory exchange ratio (i.e., RER) was calculated by the ratio of the volume of carbon
dioxide produced and volume of oxygen consumption. Rates of whole-body fat and carbohydrate
oxidation were calculated with equations 1 and 2 from Jeukendrup and Wallis [33], based on the
stoichiometry of glucose and palmitic acid and the assumption of negligible protein oxidation:
. .
Fat oxidation g·min−1 = 1.695 × VO2 − 1.701 × VCO2 (1)
. .
Carbohydrate oxidation g·min−1 = 4.210 × VCO2 − 2.962 × VO2 (2)
2.3. Statistical Analysis
Statistical analyses were completed using GraphPad Prism (version 5 for Windows; GraphPad
Software, La Jolla, CA, USA). Data normality assumptions were tested with the Kolmogorov–SmirnovNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 5 of 11
test, with minute ventilation at rest not passing normality. Based on the hypothesis that NZBC extract
would result in a change for metabolic, physiological, and cardiovascular observations in studies
with sample sizes equal to or less than fifteen [9,12,32], one-tailed paired sample t-tests used were
to compare all of the parameters between the placebo and NZBC extract conditions, performing a
Mann–Whitney U test for minute ventilation at rest. Effect sizes (i.e., Cohen’s d [34]) were calculated
for changes that were significant or showed a trend for significance, with an effect size of p ≤ 0.1 was according to guidelines by Curran-Everett and
Benos [35]. Data are presented as mean ± SD.
3. Results
3.1. Physiological and Metabolic Observations at Rest
At rest, New Zealand blackcurrant had no effect on minute ventilation (PL: 8.60 ± 1.53;
NZBC extract: 8.70 ± 1.76 L·min−1 ; p = 0.49), oxygen uptake (PL: 4.29 ± 0.66; NZBC extract:
4.38 ± 0.72 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 ; p = 0.29), RER (PL: 0.86 ± 0.05; NZBC extract: 0.86 ± 0.06; p = 0.40),
carbohydrate oxidation (PL: 0.19 ± 0.07; NZBC extract: 0.18 ± 0.06 g·min−1 ; p = 0.37), or fat oxidation
(PL: 0.06 ± 0.03; NZBC extract: 0.07 ± 0.04 g·min−1 ; p = 0.32). An absence of change in fat oxidation at
rest may suggest that lipolysis is not affected by blackcurrant intake in Southeast Asian males.
3.2. Cardiovascular Function at Rest
At rest, New Zealand blackcurrant had no effect on heart rate (PL: 59 ± 10; NZBC extract:
58 ± 9 beats·min−1 ; p = 0.28), stroke volume (PL: 77 ± 19; NZBC extract: 81 ± 21 mL; p = 0.29),
cardiac output (PL: 4.49 ± 0.99; NZBC extract: 4.42 ± 0.63 L·min−1 ; p = 0.43), or systemic vascular
resistance (PL: 1509 ± 333; NZBC extract: 1535 ± 251 dynes·s·cm−5 ; p =0.43). An absence of any effect
on cardiovascular parameters at rest seems to suggest that endothelial function at rest is not affected
by blackcurrant intake in Southeast Asian males.
3.3. Metabolic and Physiological Responses during the 30-min Treadmill Walk at 5-MET
During the 30-min walk at 5-MET, New Zealand blackcurrant had no effect on minute ventilation
(PL: 35.7 ± 6.0; NZBC extract: 35.2 ± 5.6 L·min−1 ; p = 0.24), oxygen uptake (PL: 20.91 ± 2.44; NZBC
extract: 20.42 ± 3.07 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 ; p = 0.16), RER (PL: 0.92 ± 0.06; NZBC extract: 0.91 ± 0.04;
p = 0.42), carbohydrate oxidation (PL: 1.21 ± 0.37; NZBC extract: 1.16 ± 0.28 g·min−1 ; p = 0.26), or fat
oxidation (PL: 0.18 ± 0.13; NZBC extract: 0.19 ± 0.10 g·min−1 ; p = 0.40). The absence of any changes
in exercise-induced fat oxidation suggests that lipolysis and all cellular events in skeletal muscle that
contribute to fat oxidation were not affected by blackcurrant intake in Southeast Asian males.
Fat oxidation during the 30-min walk was significantly correlated to both the placebo and NZBC
extract conditions with the fat oxidation at rest (Figure 1).
3.4. Cardiovascular Responses during the 30-min Treadmill Walk at 5-MET
During the 30-min walk at 5-MET, New Zealand blackcurrant had no effect on heart rate
(PL: 113 ± 14; NZBC extract: 112 ± 13 beats·min−1 ; p = 0.27) (Figure 2a), but there was a trend
for a larger stroke volume by 12% with a moderate effect size (PL: 83 ± 25; NZBC extract: 93 ± 24 mL;
p = 0.07, d = 0.45, Figure 2b).
There was a trend for larger cardiac output by 12%, with a moderate effect size (PL: 9.15 ± 2.59;
NZBC extract: 10.26 ± 2.78 L·min−1 ; p = 0.06, d = 0.41) (Figure 2c). There was also a significant
lower systemic vascular resistance by 11%, with a small effect size. (PL: 779 ± 269; NZBC extract:
697 ± 245 dynes·s·cm−5 ; p = 0.48, d = 0.32) (Figure 2d). In Southeast Asian males, blackcurrantNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 6 of 11
intake may
Nutrients 2018, affect exercise-induced
10, x FOR PEER REVIEW endothelial function and be indicative of additional vasodilation
6 of 11
during walking.
Nutrients 2018, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 11
Placebo NZBC extract
0.50 Placebo 0.50 NZBC extract
(g⋅min-1)
) )
during
Fat oxidation during
-1 -1
0.50 0.50
(g⋅min
0.40 0.40
30-min walk (g⋅min-1)
during
walkduring
(g⋅min
0.40 0.40
0.30 0.30
oxidation
walk
0.30 0.30
oxidation
oxidation
0.20
walk
0.20
30-min
30-min
0.20 0.20
0.10 r = 0.68 0.10 r = 0.67
30-min
FatFat
0.10 PrNutrients 2018, 10, 1732 7 of 11
intensities in the Robinson et al. [27] and the present study does not allow for study comparison of
the values for exercise-induced fat oxidation. In the present study, the values for RER at rest are
comparable with those in Thai men in a study by Janyacharoen et al. [26]—e.g., RER at rest (our study:
0.86 ± 0.05; Janyacharoen et al. [26]: 0.86 ± 0.02). Therefore, from our observations and the study by
Robinson et al. [27], healthy, recreationally active Southeast Asian and Caucasian men have a similar
relationship between fat oxidation at rest and exercise-induced fat oxidation. Exercise-induced fat
oxidation, as observed in our study, was low in Southeast Asian men and confirms the observations
by Janyacharoen et al. [26]. In addition, Hall et al. [36] also observed that South Asians had reduced
fat oxidation during submaximal exercise at the same relative exercise intensity than BMI-matched
Caucasian men. Therefore, the absolute values for whole-body fat oxidation at rest and during brisk
walking in Thai men in the present study confirm findings in the literature for ethnic differences in
substrate oxidation at rest and during exercise.
In general, whole-body fat oxidation requires the mobilization of free fatty acids following
triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes, the transport of free fatty acids in the blood, transfer across
cell membranes (e.g., muscle cells), transport across mitochondrial membranes, and beta-oxidation.
Peak whole-body fat oxidation seems to be related to lean body mass and maximal oxygen uptake [37].
In addition, a study by Fletcher et al. [38] noted the role of dietary intake being independently
associated with maximal fat oxidation during exercise. With respect to beta-oxidation, a role for
phytochemicals has been recognized [39]. Whole-body fat oxidation at rest and during brisk treadmill
walking was not enhanced with the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract in Thai men. As far
as we know, only blackberry has been reported to enhance whole-body fat oxidation at rest in males,
but ethnicity was not reported [10]. In Caucasian endurance-trained men and women, enhanced
exercise-induced fat oxidation was observed with the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract [9,
32,40]. Interestingly, in the study with Caucasian women [40], the exercise-induced fat oxidation was
associated with increased non-esterified fatty acids concentration at rest, an indication of enhanced
lipolysis. Therefore, in Southeast Asian men, New Zealand blackcurrant does not seem to affect
lipolysis; fat oxidation at rest was also not affected. In addition, it is also possible that a difference in
body composition between Thai men in the present study (i.e., BMI: 21.8 ± 1.1 kg·m−2 ) and training
status in [9,32] may have been confounding factors. Interestingly, 4-week capsinoid intake in Northeast
Asians enhanced fat oxidation more in those with high BMI (>25 kg·m−2 ) [41]. However, Asian men
with a similar BMI to Caucasian men had higher body fat [42]. Future studies may want to address
the role of body fat on the responsiveness of individuals of different ethnicities on whole-body fat
oxidation by the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant. In general, the mechanisms for enhanced
whole-body fat oxidation by the intake of anthocyanin-rich supplements are not known. It can also
not be excluded that the dietary habits by Thai men may result in a different gut microbiome than
Caucasians. Differences in gut microbiome by ethnicity [25] may affect plasma metabolite availability
by anthocyanin intake. It is possible that the bioavailability of anthocyanin-induced metabolites in
Southeast Asian males was too low to allow changes to any of the cellular events that contribute to
whole-body fat oxidation. Therefore, we expect that future studies will address causal relationships
for anthocyanin-induced plasma metabolite bioavailability and enhanced whole-body fat oxidation.
Such studies may also address whether habitual anthocyanin intake with the normal diet affects the
response by supplementation. In the present study, habitual anthocyanin intake was not quantified.
Therefore, a limitation of the present study is that the habitual dietary intake of polyphenols limited
the potential effects of New Zealand blackcurrant intake on whole-body fat oxidation. In general,
enhanced whole-body fat oxidation by exercise would have been considered beneficial. Interestingly,
maximal fat oxidation was positively associated with 24-h fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity in
Caucasian men [43]. We have shown an increase in insulin sensitivity with 7-day intake of New
Zealand blackcurrant powder [44]. In the absence of an enhancement of whole-body fat oxidation in
Southeast Asian men in our study with intake of New Zealand blackcurrant, future work may address
the response of New Zealand blackcurrant intake in South Asians on insulin sensitivity. In general,Nutrients 2018, 10, 1732 8 of 11
South Asians are more insulin resistant than Caucasians [36], so our observations may suggest the
South Asians are less responsive to polyphenol intake in their normal diets, compared to Caucasians.
We observed in a previous study with Caucasian men an effect of New Zealand blackcurrant
extract on cardiovascular function at rest, i.e., an increased cardiac output and reduced total peripheral
resistance [45]. Such changes in cardiovascular function at rest were absent in the present study with
Thai men. This would suggest that the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant in the present study did not
result in vasodilation at rest. However, in Caucasian men, during a 2-min sustained 30% submaximal
isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscles, we observed changes in cardiovascular responses,
i.e., increased cardiac output and a decrease in total peripheral resistance with the intake of New
Zealand blackcurrant [12]. Such observations were associated with an increase in the diameter of the
femoral artery, suggesting enhanced blood flow due to the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant [12].
In the present study, during brisk walking in Thai men, New Zealand blackcurrant affected the
cardiovascular response, as evidenced by a trend for enhanced cardiac output and significant decrease
in systemic vascular resistance. It seems that in both low static activity in Caucasian men and
moderate-intensity exercise in Thai men, New Zealand blackcurrant seems to affect the production of
nitric oxide. It is possible that enhanced cardiac output during brisk walking was due to greater
venous return. However, there is an inconsistency in the effects of the intake of New Zealand
blackcurrant for cardiovascular responses at rest in Southeast Asians and Caucasians. It is possible
that the bioavailability of anthocyanin-induced metabolites with the blackcurrant intake needed to
change the cell function necessary for vasodilation in Southeast Asians is too low with only a 7-day
intake, for changing cardiovascular function at rest, but is sufficient to alter responses during exercise.
Future work may want to examine the effects of a higher intake or intake for a longer period of
anthocyanin-rich supplements on metabolic and cardiovascular responses at rest and during exercise
in Southeast Asians. A limitation of the present study was that no information was available on the
anthocyanin-induced metabolites with a 7-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant.
5. Conclusions
It is concluded that the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract has no effect on metabolic,
physiological, and cardiovascular responses at rest in Thai men with normal body weight. However,
New Zealand blackcurrant extract affected cardiovascular response during brisk walking in Thai men.
Supplementation studies may need to consider the ethnicity of the study population to examine the
effects of nutritional ergogenic aids.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization: M.E.T.W., N.P., W.W., and A.A.; methodology: M.E.T.W. and N.P.;
formal analysis: M.E.T.W. and N.P.; writing (original draft preparation): M.E.T.W.; writing (review and editing):
M.E.T.W., N.P., W.W., and A.A.
Acknowledgments: Supplementation was provided by Health Currancy (UK)/CurraNZ (NZ) Ltd.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Health Currancy Ltd. (Surrey, UK)/CurraNZ
Ltd. (Auckland, New Zealand) contributed to article processing charges.
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